A photo journey.

Some cousins

Lucia, Bea, and Aarron

More cousins....The blonde one is not really a part of the family, so I dont know her name, then Christina, Carlota is on top of Christina, and then Lucia. The guy in the background is Jose Luis, another cousin. 

The BIGGEST paella I have ever seen. It was vegan and organic!

The happy Violeta with the ecopaella sign....

At a birthday BBQ.  From Left to Right-- Joaquin (cousin), Carmen*sita* (cousin), Violeta (extranjera), Carmen (Aunt). Carmen (Aunt) is the mother of Joaquin (cousin).

As I sit here in the internet cafe, being surround by foreigners screaming down various international phone lines, I am in my own little world. Munchn on some chuchaay and looking at photos. I can't believe that it is June already. In a few months, I am going to be a Tam Senior, which just shouldn't be allowed. 

My family is coming in two weeks! I can't wait to show them the ways of Chiclana de la FFFRRRRRONNNNNTTTTTEEEEERRRRRAAAAAA. 

Get ready because.....

Gloria the Magnificent can't wait to stretch her legs. The time has come.

Paris, Vienna, Elissa, Eva, 17 and returning soon.

First off, I would like to apologize for the long gaps between blogposts. I don't have any excuses but will try to post more regularly as my time here draws to a close.

So, my two week whirlwind adventure. Oh yea, that's right. Paris. Vienna. Let me just say that they were some of the best two weeks of my life. Filled with little sleep, lots of roaming city streets, people watching, coffee, amazing food and seeing people who I haven't seen in quite a while.

I got off the plane in Paris without really realizing I was in Paris and still a bit worried that I was going to mess up the subway and end up not meeting Daniel (cousin). But, I made it. I did it!! That was the best feeling. Let me say, that my sense of direction is TERRIBLE. But, I didn't even get lost in Paris OR Vienna...well, maybe one time, but that doesn't count. As I met up with Daniel, my thought process was a bit nonfunctional. "I am in Paris. I am in Paris. I am IN PARIS!! and am going to meet up with friends and have total freedom................I AM IN PARIS" and I couldn't stop smiling. It just took me a while to deal with the information.

While walking to meet Elissa, I remember last year, talking about a possible Paris trip.

Violet "What if we met up in Paris for my birthday?"

Elissa "We would be the coolest people ever."

Violet "Yea, but I can see it not happening."

Elissa "But still. Just imagine."

and it happened. That part still amazes me.

Meeting up with the other Tam kids was crazy as well. We also went out to dinner with a woman from Mill Valley, which was a big slap in the face of Marin Mom. But, you know, it was all in good fun.

My birthday was a really memorable experience as well and might have been better than my Bat Mitzvah. Just kidding. It is a story for a different day.

So, after spending a week walking around PARIS and staying my father's cousins. I went to stay with my mother´s cousins. oh man. I had been to their apartment before but I had forgotten how movie like it was. Claaassssssssyyyyyyyy. A leafy Parisian neighborhood. A large expanse of nicely decorated rooms, amazing art and a feeling of being engulfed in that safety net that money always seems to provide. He enjoys pipe smoking (so classy) and explained the differences between the wood grain, shape, and make of the pipe. So, if I ever pick up this "hobby", which I just might, I am equipped with all of the information. It was there were I also had my first conversation about college. What fun! I forgot the pressure and terrible feeling I got in my stomach as I thought about where I want to go and why Ivy league schools are NOT an option.

There is not room for me to describe every single day in Paris or every emotion that was felt, but just know that Paris is an amazing city and I had a fantastic time.


Vienna. EVA. It was so good to see her. But really. Vienna had a very different vibe than Paris. While Paris was gallivanting around, Vienna was more relaxed. Eva had school in the mornings, so I hung out in various places, going to museums, chilln in the sun on bright yellow benches and it felt amazing. One of the nights, Eva and I went to this awesome hangout place where I got to meet Eva's friends who are just as cool and nice as she is. I love meeting new people and traveling with Eva and even when being alone was really amplified by meeting all sorts of interested and interesting people.

So that was my trip.

side notes.

1. Being without my family (as much as I love them.....) was amazing. I could do WHATEVER I wanted whenever. No sight seeing was allowed and I got to experience both places with locals, which is always the best. ALWAYS. Going to hidden places, such as stores, cafés, musuems, and parks that aren't filled with tourists is always a better experience

2. Elissa is amazing. and funny. and smart. and so fun to be around

3. Eva has changed a lot from when she first came to live with us (and I am sure that I have as well). She is in school and studying HARD! Cooks and is so ADORABLE with her new love.

4. BEST 10 DAYS EVER.

5. If I had more time, patenience, and skills, I would articulate my experiences better. but I don't, so this will have to do.









I still need to write about my class trip to Barcelona with 50 students, which should guarantee a good chuckle as we imagine little Violeta crying by the pool in the hotel (first time crying since December). It was THAT TERRIBLE. and SCARRING. and HORRIBLE.

I should also talk (refuse to use blog as a verb) about my amazing birthday party in the Campo, and all the love and good feelings that were shared, the mountains of Spanish candy and the all vegetarian lunch.

I should probably write about how next month (thats right!!) I will be meeting my family in Madrid and then on a plane back in Marin and then road tripping with friends. Yes Dad, the road trip is going to happen!! :)

Time is zipping by and I am oh so very happy 17.5 hours of the day. Minus the 6.5 hours that are spent in the torturous pit that they call ESCUELA.

SO. Thanks for dealing with me. I had fun speed typing this out on a Spanish keyboard.

peace.

Semana Santa--WTF??

The long awaited week has arrived. Semana Santa. Or Holy Week. The Sunday before the festivities started, people either told me how beautiful the next seven days would be OR how scary and overwhelming they would be.

My first glimpse of the parade was an accident. I was biking back from the beach with Mila when I smelled something oh so particular. Something very sweet and very musty but nothing I have ever smelled before. I asked what that sent was and Mila replied "Semana Santa" Suddenly, after a problem free bike-ride, we reached the center of town and a police stopped us to say that the streets are closed off. We hit up another street, and WHAT? hundreds of people just standing there eating sunflower seeds. Forced to get off our bikes, I almost slip with the first step. "Mila!!" I called out in panic "The ground is slippery." or "¿Mila, que ha pasado con el suleo?". "Its from the wax" is all she said. We make it to a road without people and overlooking the town. Suddenly, I see it. A large velvet float covered in candles and a HUGE statue of Jesus and Mary, both weeping. Behind the float is a 20 piece orchestra and in front of the orchestra and the float are millions of hooded figures, dressed exactly like the Klu Klux Klan. This first impression was very intense. I just didn´t expect it to be so strong and in my face.

I went out the next night, at 1:00 am (when the second parade started) and was more prepared. I didn´t have my camera, but just watched in awe. It really was something beautiful but also so strange. I felt like I was in a Shirley Jackson short story and was waiting for someone at the end to get stoned to death. As I begin to describe the procession in detail, I wish I could say that I know the names of every group or what story from the bible they are depicting but none of my Spanish friend or family wants to have anything to do with this holy week, so no one explained the names to me, but I take that as a good thing.

The first part of the parade is often young boys, dressed in the KKK purple robes, holding huge candles and two are carrying a large metal cross. Then comes older boys, about my age, wearing fancy dress clothes and strange hats, and swinging enough incense to make the whole city smell. Then more KKK members, holding bells, and then the float. Every day there is a different float, depicting a different Jesus story. The floats are incredible. But really. The faces have so much detail, it looks like they use real hair, and there are tons of gold, flowers, and candles. It looks like it must weigh mucho mucho mucho and even though it is very very heavy, it is transported through the streets for hours on end by humans. After the float, there is the band. Trumpets and other horns along with drums. The music is so loud but that adds to the intensity. Then there are old women dressed in black with veils and candles and then random people who need to feel the lord.

All of this nonsense goes on until Sunday. Last night was the one of the biggest nights, meaning it goes for 12 hours. 6 pm to 6 am. I don´t understand where it goes. Chiclana is not that big. But whatever. I was only there for an hour or so. It is really crazy. The best part is the that candy store are open until 2:30 am, which really, is the best part. The streets are all coated with a not so thin layer of wax. Every time a car turns a corner, it makes a terrible screeching sound.

Everyone tells me that the parade is much better in San Fernando and in Cadiz, but I don´t have the energy to go witness thousands of people being entranced by such things. In Sevilla, it is even bigger than the Carnival night here, which I can´t even imagine.

So yes, I have experienced my first Holy Week (but for real) and it was and still is crazy. I took pictures and will try to post them ASAP. Here is a Youtube video that I think you will enjoy. It was from last year Holy Week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLUT581wgM&feature=related

Well that is all for now.....Paris in 5 days and my birthday in 6!

Happy Passover!

Who is that silly girl playing the warm waves of Cádiz. Why VIOLETA of course!

Well. What a good day. I didn´t go to school and instead went to go pick up my Official Spanish ID Card. Juan has an apartment that is right across from the Official Government Building, so after picking up what I needed and I dropped off my stuff at his place and went to go hit up the town.

Cádiz is split into two parts; the new city and the old city and a large stone bridge type thing marks the border. The new part is not very interesting, mostly just banks, official buildings, and the beach. The old part is much better, filled with cool stores and plazas. Walking from the new part to the old part, I saw a HUGE cruise boat in the harbor. I mean HUGE. Emblazoned on its blue walls, were the words "Holland American Tours. WELCOME!" and as the first smattering of fat, pasty, visor wearing people waddled by, I couldn't help but snicker.

Hit up some cool stores. Unlike San Francisco, there aren´t any used clothing stores and of course no Haight street, and I had to find the next best thing, which was a small store run by a silly pregnant woman who wore earrings that were tiny toothpaste tubes. I, being my mother´s daughter, tried hard to be successful at shopping, but was not. And just bought a shirt. But with a smile on my face. I also tried on a weird M.IA meets Fiest bodysuit that was SO FLY--but 300€. I almost, ALMOST, broke the famed Elson family sunglass buying rule, but didn´t.

After two hours of walking around, feeling nifty, my tummy was telling me it was time to COMER! My favorite Moroccan to go restaurant wasn´t open, so I had to find the next best things. And found nothing. I walked allll the way back to the new part and heard the beach calling me. I found myself ordering a sangwich and a pepsi and went to eat on the beach. Listening to music, soaking up the sun, and eating a delIIIIsh ´wich was quite nice. Being in my skinny jeans was not fun. I was so hot. And ended up rolling up my shirt and pants and basically rolling the sand. I got tiny little sand particles in every single part of my body and clothes. After a good hour or so, the only thing I wanted was a bathing suit. I put on my shoes (without socks) and tried to brush off as much sand as I could. I had no idea where I was. I hoped I was close to Juan´s apartment. Walking off of the beach, I found myself next a very familiar looking garage. OMG. Yes it was. The flat was RIGHT THERE. I can´t even describe the JOY and niftiness I felt to lug my ass up 16 flights of stairs, magically find my SPIDERMAN boxers in my backpack and hit up the beach AGAIN. For another 2 hours. So amazing.

And I discovered something that I always sort of knew. I love being alone. My own company is so nice. I can do whatever I want, whenever, without any questions being asked. And people are nicer when you are alone, well at least to me. I made quite lovely conversation with random people who were also on the beach. Let me just describe my feelings "I am so COOLLLLL" that is really what I felt. It was nice to have those feelings for once. And being in my spiderman boxers and tank top, looking a little sunburned and just chilln. So nice.

And that was my day.

And this month will also be amazing. Sunday I leave for Barcelona with my class (medium thumbs up) then it is Holy week (no thumbs up) and THENNNN I go to PARIS (two thumbs up) and then VIEENNAAA (a million thumbs up)

YEEEEE

and then it is May and then it is June and then I am BACK!

Ok. so I also recorded and really silly video of the Campo and will try to upload it soon.

YAY!

This is what eating home-made yogurt has turned me into....

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of going to see Cirque de Soleil in Sevilla. What an amazing show. But really. Incredible. The costumes, make-up, routines, every little detail, perfectly planned out. It really blew my mind.

After that we walked around Sevilla. The night was perfect. It was warm and without a breeze. I have been to Sevilla in the day, and I think it is more beautiful at night. i now know that i have no real desire to go back to Marin, to high school, to any of that. i would much rather travel the world, meeting cool people, and doing cool things than going back to Tam for another year. That then raises the question...do I really want to go to University? Well, yes and no. I would love to go to a place where learning is the key factor, where people want to learn, and college is an experience that has been built up to a such a grand endeavor in my life that i will end up going. But living abroad, and going to school overseas is just so much better. meeting such amazing people. I don´t want to do an exchange in college, but i have met exchange students in college and they only thing they want to do is party. I want to live, work, and be member in a community such as Sevilla, Madrid, Paris.....Places like that. I know that I am going to take a year off before college, probably work for 6 months and then travel for 6 months. But I am just so unsure of I what I want to do.

So, yes, I am someone who is always in thinking about the future. Or at least, that is what it seems. I feel like my thoughts are always pointed towards next year, towards college, or I seem to always be waiting for something. But that was the same last year as well. Every thought of mine was focused on Spain, SPain, SPAin, SPAIn, SPAIN!

But, even though my mind is in the future, I also feel really in the present. I go on a lot of walks and I spend a lot of time alone, which when added together, is the same as a lot of time to think and be overwhelmed by everything (in a good way). The other day, I was riding the bus to San Fernando, to go to see a movie. It was just around 7 pm and the sun was setting. Let me take a minute to describe how magnificent the sun-sets are. So amazing. When there are no clouds, it blows me away to see the bright red sun setting behind a church or what not. So, anyways, there I was, listening to Beirut and sitting on a bus. We passed a salt mill/farm/factory, and at that very moment, the sun was poised perfectly on top of a huge pile of salt. It was divine. A large glittering mound of particles with a large orange sun making is seem unreal. At that moment, I felt so, so, at peace, I guess. I don´t know how to describe an emotion that I have only felt here.

Last weekend, I was walking around Cádiz alone, taking picture of the Carnival festivities and got completely lost. For those who know me well, I have the shittiest sense of direction. At 10 years of age, I thought that Paradise Drive was Stinstion Beach and at 16 years of age, I tried to get drive to a place in San Francisco and ended up on Treasure Island. Well, I did not surprise me that I turned the corner and was in the middle of no where, but I wasn´t in any hurry, so I just let my self and my camera wander. I walked for a good half hour, letting my Diana + lead the way. It was so calming and once again, I had this pleasant peace. I had no hurry, no place to be, no one waiting for me to be home. I was on my own time, in a place that was almost like a fairy-tale, seeing people who I did not know and I just felt like a pleasant humming of joy through-out my body. That is what it was. A pleasant humming of joy.

I am just so checked-out of my Marin life. I have no extra-curricular activities, have no job, no car, no one who calls or texts me frequently. It is a strange 9 month vacation. I am not at all saying that I love having so much free time, because a lot of the time, I feel so lazy. I miss having events to plan, meetings to run, and a real community that I am part of.

I have almost been here for 6 months. Every time I think about leaving, I get a strange rush of dread and joy. I am excited to return and take what I have learned here to apply to my life back home but at the same time, leaving just seems too soon. I have had dreams where it is my last day here and I always wake up with a panic.

I just bought my plane tickets to Paris and Vienna. I am so excited!!! I feel like an adult, kind of functioning (but somehow fucking up important details) and travelling across Europe. What luck I have. It seems unreal.

CARNAVALES

AHHHHHHHH.


Where do I even begin? How can I find the words to describe what was the first night of these wonderful festivities?

My evening started at 6:45 pm, when Jose Antonio (Mila´s nephew) called me to tell me that we were going to leave in an hour. I had just woken up from a nice nap and was on my way out the door to find a costume. I had a mini-panic attack because I didn´t really understand what Jose Antonio had told me and there wasn´t enough time to purchase a costume. I quickly ran down-stairs to the Hiper Euro, a Chinese "dollar-store" type place, to see if there was anything I could wear. I had originally wanted to go as a cow, but couldn´t find any cow costume that I liked and was now thinking to go as a pregnant princess. I found a 12€ princess dress but I just couldn´t bring myself to buy it. I ended up running around the large expanse of the tiny apartment, finding an old, silly hat, a tie, and some fake mustashes.

The Spanish don´t enjoy being on time, so at 8:30, Jose Antonio, Maria (his girlfriend), and his brother, Joaquin roll up and we are on our way. But not really. After a three hour getting ready and dinner session at their house, we finally geot a ride in Cádiz.

When we first entered the city, there was only a few spattering of people, lugging beer bottles and wearing funny costumes. We got dropped off far away from the center of the city because it there were just too many cars and walking would be a lot faster. We got out of the car and ended up joining a large train of people all walking towards Plaza España.

Oh the costumes! A delightful array of men dressed up as women, people in chicken costumes, and a lot of pretend police men (which got confusing). Amy Winehouse made some apearences as did a few giant penises.

We made our way towards the center and met up with more cousins. I opted out of meeting up with other exchange students, I just thought it would be better if I spent the whole night speaking the Spanish tounge with the native people.

Plaza España is located at the very beginning of Old Cádiz, next to the bus station and the port, with a large statue in the middle. I have never seen so many people. Never in my whole entire life. People swinging off of the statue, hopping over fences, standing in the middle of the road, doing whatever thing that you are not allowed to do when it is not Carnival.

00:45 am

I met up with some friends of Maria. They were really nice and when they found out that I was from San Francisco, I made a lot of new best friends. Every one wanted to speak English with me but I did not mind at all. We chatted and talked about random things.

1:45 am

I had to pee. Really bad. I went around to the people who I knew to announce that I had to pee. Maria was the only one who gathered up people to go. We hopped the fence and made our way to a line of parked cars. My large mustache caused a ruckus, so I had to stop and chat to people about my facial hair. Squatting behind a car was not fun. I ended up having to pee two more times that night.

3:00 am

I went to go get water with a group of 4 people. That was insane. Walking into the city was insane. There were more than 450,000 people partying in the streets. The voice in my head was my father´s. "If you are ever in a very crowded place, stay close to the outside and look for an exit strategy. Kids like you can get easily trampled if they are not alert and aware at all times." That little talk was about two years ago, after a death at a night club. With those words in my head, I looked about the crowded streets and laughed. There was no exit strategy. It was not possible to make a quick escape.

4:00 am

We made back to where everyone else was, but not after pushing and shoving to get back. I wish I could describe the scene better but there really aren´t words. I had a lot of fun hanging with these Spaniards. They were all really impressed that I could speak Spanish with such "ease" even though I have only been here for 5 months. That, I think, was the best part of the whole night. Getting affirmation that my hard work was paying off and impressing people is an indescribable feeling.

6:00 am

People are starting to trickle out. I make a guess that I will be home in two hours. I begin to make the journey to the bus stop, which is in a different spot than normal, in New Cádiz.

6:45 am

I arrive at the bus stop, only to find the two accordion buses leaving for Chiclana.

7:05 am
After a short but cold 20 minutes until the next two buses arrive. Getting on the bus was the scariest part of the whole night. Jose Antonio had warned me that getting on the bus would be terrible. I would really have to push and shove. He was not kidding. At all. About 50 people all tried to get on the bus at the same time. I was smushed in the middle, not even on my feet, but getting pushed upwards by so many people. This was not the right way to get on the bus. I got out of the mosh pit and decided to weasle my way on. I walked around to the side of the bus, reached my hand around and grabbed onto the inside of the door. I then, don´t know how, managed to get one foot inside the bus and then, with a final shove, I was on! And I got a window seat. I wasn´t feeling too hot and I did not start to feel better when the people sitting around me began to smoke. On the bus.

8:00 am.

HOME! I drink some water and home into bed.

13:00 pm.

I awake to an empty house with an empty stomache. I spend the rest of the day sleeping and eating and watching movies in English.



An amazing night. A lot of fun! More to come later!

Jerez, Judías y dos Jesúses.

Today was a beautiful (finally!) Sunday afternoon with a slight breeze and the whole fam decided to go to Jerez to meet up with some friends of Mila´s. These friends were so much fun! A gay couple who happened to both be named Jesus. Jesus number one is studying to be a sign language interpreter and Jesus number two is an artist. They have a lovely flat in Jerez, where we dined on fancy cheeses and discussed life. It was a lot of fun. I felt very classy and kind of like I was in a movie of some sort. After a bit, we decided to go walk around Jerez.

Jerez is really cool. It is a lot bigger than Chiclana, or Cádiz for that matter. We went to an outdoor flea market type thing that is every weekend. Gyspys tried to sell me old dresses and watches while their children tried to steal my money out of my pockets.

Just walking around the city was a lot of fun. Jesús number one taught me various sign-languange signs (for example, hijo de puta y tú puta madre)....you know, things that will come in handy when I have a run in with a deaf Spanish person. I had a lot of fun and I felt like I was a functional person, speaking Spanish without making too big of an ass out of myself, feeling classy and sassy all at once. I had only slept 5 hours the night before (came home at 3:30 and then had to get up at 9:00 am to eat breakfast with los abuelos) and besides a melt down when I got home, it was a very good day.

I will now to segue into breakfast here in lovely old Spain. Back in the U.S, my favorite meal of the day is breakfast. I love cereal, vegan muffins, vegan pancakes, oatmeal, and tofu scramble. If I had the choice, I would eat breakfast items at all hours of the day. Here, breakfast is very different, with a much less emphasis on food than on coffee and waking up.

At least a few times a month, we go out to breakfast with Joaquin and Pepa. When I was first informed that we would be going to eat breakfast out at 9 am, I was excited...finally I could get that pancake fix. Well, we roll up to an old, little bar/restaurant and I immediately knew that there were not going to be any waffles in sight. The walls of the Venta Florentina are decorated with pictures torros and torreros, Spanish flags, and CruzCampo posters. An old waiter takes our coffee orders and then brings a large tray. This large tray is an vegan´s nightmare. On it are 4 large mugs of various breakfast spreads. One is manteca, manteca colorado (colorOW), and two other meat type paste. Manteca is pig fat. There are no other ways to describe it because it is simply the fat that comes from the pig. The waiter then returns with one peice of thick toast for everyone. Joaquin was telling me about when he was a young boy and sold flowers on his motor scooter to buy manteca for his family and Pepa (at the same time) is telling me how she use to eat 4 peices of this bread with various things for breakfast everyday.

After explaining to family that I don´t eat lard (for breakfast for that matter) I was given the option of jam and butter or olive oil and tomatoes. I went for the olive oil and tomatoes because it is a million times better than jam. I still really like going out to eat breakfast, and although I did a bad job of explaining what it is like, it is a lot of fun and sometimes I don an old hat of Joaquins and feel especially nifty.


Sorry that it has been so long since I have written, I am just very lazy.

I have officially made the half way point which seems unreal. Honestly just unreal.

I remember what I wanted to say! Here, a type of white bean are called Judías. I find that quite amusing, especially when reading a recipe of Judía soup with garlic bread. I just see a lot of old, tiny Jews dancing in a bowl of soup and jumping over crotons.

tee hee

much love

Violetaaaaaaaaaaaa

The Exchange Student

Many times during the day, I stop and think " This is my life as an exchange student. I AM an exchange student. I am one of those people who left to go live abroad and I am making memories right now that I will only remember a little bit when I am 45 but look upon them and think ´that was my life in Spain when I was 16´" It is a very strange and long train of thought that usually happens when I make my cold, 20 minute walk to school in the mornings.

Oh school. Each day is a new experience. Let me just say that the kids in my class are so FRESHMAN. When the class ends and the teacher leaves, they immediately start throwing chalk at each other. Girl's pencil's cases get thrown into the trash-can and so on and so forth. The classes themselves aren't much better. I have learned most of the material already and the teachers either ignore me or pay a lot of special attention to me. My biology teacher, Begoña, is my favorite. She is sassy with a capital S, meaning that she loves 5 inch heels and whipping her curly red hair around. I don´t often participate in class, but one day, I decided to go write my work on the board. It was all pretty much correct, except for a few grammitcal errors. Begoña was even sassier than ever. She made the class applaud me for and then announced how proud of me she was. 

In history, we are learning about revolutions and it was interesting to listen to someone teach about the Independence of the U.S. who isn't American.  I spent hours last year learning about the French Revolution and am not looking forward to revisiting the subject. My history teacher is (as the students in my class put it)- "Un conazo de tia" and it is very true. She explains things to me so slowly, screeching my name so I truly understand. I guess I don't like her because I had such an amazing history teacher last year. Nothing can replace Mr. Andres. 

And there are the times when I feel like such a cliché abroad student. I am at the age where I often compare myself to people. Whether it be a complete stranger on the bus or my friends, I seem always to be measuring myself against other people. I often wonder about myself as an exchange student and compare myself to Mai-Mai. Mai-Mai was an exchange student from China who was at Tam last year. Everyone knew who she was and was well liked by everyone. I saw her as an exchange student and I know how people see foreigners. It is strange to think that next year, the people who are in my class now are going to say "Remember that American girl? She was vegetarian and said Oh My God a lot." Just as I do about Mai-Mai. 

If you are wondering why my writing seems to be getting shittier it is because I am honestley having a hard time writing in English. It seems to cost me a lot of energy due to the fact that I use it less and less. It is the strangest sensation to try to write to or to speak in a language that I have known all of my life but now suddenly having a hard time articulating what I want to say. Spanish also seems to be creeping into my mind. I find that when I am falling asleep, I am thinking in Spanish. This by NO means signifies that I am fluent. Oh my dear friends, not at all. It is getting easier but I still make a fool out of myself every time I say something in Spanish. 

I did have a "break-through"  last week. I figured out how the sentence structures work and why nos. comemos means we eat each other and not we are eating and why te querio means I love you. Me dijo means he/she told me and le dije means I told him/her. It was just cool to suddenly understand something so basic in this language. 

Well, I am sorry that this post is so boring. But all I have been doing for the past two weeks have been school work. I mean really. Teachers assign a lot of homework and that means it takes me double the time to complete a simple assignment, which is not fun at all. 

So yes, that is what I have been doing with my time, studying, not sleeping that much, and trying not to worry. 

Peace....

Violeta